11
Preventing Baby’s Head from Flattening
Prévenir le risque d’aplatissement de la tête de bébé
Pediatricians and child health organizations agree that
healthy babies should be placed on their backs to sleep for
naps and at nighttime, to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS). But babies who are always on
their backs can sometimes develop flat spots on their heads
(plagiocephaly). Most cases of positional plagiocephaly can
be prevented (and sometimes corrected) by repositioning
your baby to relieve pressure on the back of the head.
Here are some tips and techniques from the experts to
keep in mind as you care for your baby:
• Change the location of your baby’s sleeper or crib in the room,
so she has to look in different directions to see the door, or the
window, or interesting things going on around her.
• When your baby is awake, provide opportunities for
adult-supervised “tummy time” play. Playing on his tummy
helps take the pressure off the back of his head, which will
help prevent flat spots from developing. Tummy time play
also helps your baby’s head, neck and shoulder muscles
get stronger as part of normal development.
• Try tummy time two or three times a day, for short periods
of time, until your baby gets used to being on her tummy.
Once your baby begins to enjoy this position, try longer
periods of time or increase the frequency of tummy time play.
• Help your baby avoid resting his head in the same position
all the time by frequently changing the direction he lies in the
crib. For example, have your baby’s feet point toward one
end of the crib for a few days, and then change the position
so his feet point toward the other end of the crib. This will
encourage your baby to turn and look in different directions.
• Try to minimize the amount of time your baby spends in
car seats, carriers and bouncy seats while awake.
• Lastly, make sure you enjoy lots of “cuddle time” with your
baby by holding her upright over your shoulder.
• For additional information on positional plagiocephaly and
the benefits of tummy time play for your baby, speak with
your pediatrician or family physician.
National Institute of Health (NIH) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development.
